Metal arch for culverts



' 3 Sheets-8heet 1. No Model.) R GRAY METAL ARCH FOR GULVERTS.

No. 587,392. Patente Aug. 3,1897.

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R. GRAY.

METAL ARCH FOR GULVERTS. No. 587,392. Patented Aug. 3,1897.

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R. GRAY. METAL ARCH FOR GULVERTS.

No. 587,392. Patented Aug. 33,1897".

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RICHARD GRAY, or BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS.

METAL ARCH FOR CULVERTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 587,392, dated August3, 1897.

Application filecl May 10,1897. Serial No. 685,871. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RICHARD GRAY,'a citizen of the United States,residing at Bloomington, in the county of McLean and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metal Arches forCulverts, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to metal arches designed for culverts and the like;and it consists in various features hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Arches in general may be divided into two classes, masonry and metallic,and the former, usually of brick or stone, is made of many pieces fittedtogether, not otherwise fastened to one another except by the smalladhesive force of the cement between them.

Metallic arches are either hinged or elastic,

, the former comprising two pieces hinged at three points, the lattercomposed of one piece. Now the effect of a uniform load upon an arch isa uniform compression strain in all its pieces and there is consequentlyno tendency to distortion or change in shape. On the other hand aconcentrated load tends to change the shape and give rise to bendingstrains, the bending being positive or downward immediately under theload and negative or up ward at the unloaded point. It is clear thatthese changes in shape or form are mutually dependent-that is to say, ifthe arch cannot bend down at any point it will not bend up at any otherpoint, and vice versa-and hence when provision is made for one it isalso made for the other.

In the masonry arch the positive strain tends to open the joints betweenthe voussoirs at the intrados, while the negative strain tends to openthe joints at the extrados. It is plain, therefore, that if thevoussoirs are firmly united, so as to prevent sliding or opening at thejoints, the stability of the arch will be increased.

Of course a metallic arch is subjected to the same strains as a masonryarch; but by reason of the construction I have devised I produce an archwhich may be either elasticor hinged and which overcomes the theoreticalobjections above pointed out. It is a fact well understood that thedischarge capacity of a pipe may be materially increased by making theends of the pipe flaring or conically divergent, and I take advantage ofthis law or principle in. the construction of my metallic arch orculvert and cause the ends thereof to fiare outward or diverge.

I will now point out briefly some objections existing against culvertsas usually constructed as shown by practical experience.

Stone culverts are too expensive for general use, especially where stoneof the requisite quality does not abound. Brick culverts have been foundwanting in permanency, the multiplicity of joints rendering necessary alargeproportion of cement, which does not well resist the combinedaction of water and frost. The vitrified-pipeculvert is too limited incapacity, while the steel-pipe culvert is expensive and rusts rapidly.The cast-iron-pipe culvert is limited in capacity (five feet diameter)and is difficult to transport and erect, especially where it isnecessary to transport the heavy weight (seven and one-half tons) byWagons over ordinary highways. Besides these objections the height ofthe grade will frequently preclude the use of a circular waterway. WViththese objections, theoretical and practical, existing it is particularlyde-.

sirable to produce a culvert having the least cost combined withgreatest strength and du rability, and to this end I employ metal,preferably cast-iron, to the exclusion of wroughtiron or steel bolts orother parts, and so connect the voussoirs or pieces composing the archthat they may be secured to one another at most any desired angle. As aresult of this the form in cross-section of the culvert may be variedwithout any change in the form or size of its several pieces, the areaor capacity being regulated by the number and adjustment of thevoussoirs and not by changing their form or dimensions. portantadvantages in this construction. First, the cast-iron combines thegreatest strength and durability when buried in earth or submerged inwater; second, the pieces or sections are of such size and weight as tobe readily handled and transported; third, the several parts are sodesigned and formed that they not only perform their functions as partof the structure, but are also easily molded, so that the castings willbe true to pattern, thereby avoiding subsequent fitting and leaving theskin of the casting unbroken; fourth,

There are several im- I avoid a multiplicity of patterns, securesimplicity in erection, and extend the range of adaptation to varyingcircumstances by providing a possible adjustment to any curve, fixingand securing the voussoirs in such adjustment without changing the formor dimensions of any piece composing the arch, and, fifth, I adopt aform answering the requirements of economy according to a wellknown factor principle of hydraulics.

Bearing in mind the general facts and principles outlined above. I willnow describe in detail the construction of my improved arch or culvertin connection with the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspectiveview of a culvert constructed in accordance with my invention, a portionbeing represented in dotted lines; Figs. 2 and 3, respectively plan andperspective views of one of the end sections or plates; Figs. 4 and 5,respectively plan and perspective views of one of the sections or platesof the main body; Figs. 6 and 7, similar views of the footings orfoot-pieces; Figs. 8 and 9, perspective views of two diflferent forms offilling-pieces; Fig. 10, a perspective view of the parts of one of theplate-connecting devices or ties separated; Figs. 11 and 12,respectively plan and side elevation of the joint or connection betweenthe plates or sections of each arch; Fig. 13 a sectional view on theline 13 13 of Fig. 12, showing how the arches are connected with eachother and Figs. 1a and 15, sectional views showing two different meansfor securing the filling-pieces.

The culvert comprises one or more arches A, whose walls are parallel, orone or more of such arches combined with one or more arches A, whosewalls are not parallel. In other words, the culvert may or may not haveone or more of the flaring end sections.

Each archA is made up .of a series of plates B, which are duplicates ofeach other, said plates being flat on the inner face and provided on theback or outer face with transverse flanges a and a longitudinal flangeZ), Figs. 1 and 5. Of course the number of these flanges may beincreased if it should be found that the requirements demand additionalstrength.

The ends I) of the flanges Z) are arranged at an angle to the main bodyportion thereof, as in Fig. 1, so that when two arches are brought sideby side the end flanges b, which project beyond the ends of the plates,may overlap each other and engage a rib 0, formed on the respectiveplates, as shown in Fig. 13, the said flanges being notched, as at cl,to permit such engagement and thereby hold the arches together.

Each plate B is further provided on its longitudinal edges, preferablyon both the front and back, with a bead or rib 6, Figs. 5, 12, 14, and15, which is designed to fit in curved seats f, formed in the -shapedfllling-piece C.

The filling-piece O has an upright web g, which projects up between theplates B, and lateral emcee webs h, in which the curved seats f areformed, as shown in Figs. 8, 9, 12, 14:, and 15. In the upright web g isa series of holes 2', through which are driven keys j, by means of whichthe plates are connected to the piece 0. Instead of this constructionthe piece C may be provided with lateral lugs 70, Figs. 9 and 15,between which and the plates B keys j are inserted. -While the platesare thus connected with the intermediate filling piece they are capableof a motion upon the latter when it is desired to adjust the relativeposition of the plates. The flanges a on the back of each plate B areperforated to receive the eyebolts D, which latter project beyond eachside face of the flange, as in Fig. 11. The stem Z of the bolt is madecylindrical and extends beyond one side of the flange, while the openhead or eye m, which is elongated laterally, projects beyond theopposite side.

E indicates a link or bar having at one end an eye a to fit upon thecylindrical stem Z of one bolt and also provided with a longitudinalslot 0 to receive the head or eye on of the other bolt, as shown inFigs. 10,11, and 12, the outer face of each bar or link being serrated,as at p, to afford a rigid locking engagement for acorrespondingly-serrated wedge q.

After the bolts D are placed in the holes of the respective flanges onebar E is placed at one end on the cylindrical stem of one bolt andreceives the head of the other bolt in its slot 0. The other bar isapplied to the same bolts, but in a reverse position. After the plateshave been given the desired adjustment or inclination the wedges q arethen put into the eyes 771, where they engage the serrations on thebars, and then the plain wedges 0' are also placed in the eyes alongsidethe wedges q and driven in tight, thereby locking each bar at one end tothe respective bolts. It will be noted, however, that at one end eachbar or link E has a pivotal connection with one of the bolts-beingjournaled on the cylindrical ste1n-and that each bolt is free to turn inthe flange a, by which it is carried, thereby permitting a slight amountof flexibility to the arch.

The end arches A are built up in a similar manner; but the plates F,instead of being rectangular, are made trapezoidal, as shown in Figs. 2and 3, and have at the outer or wider end an upright flange swith anoffset part 3. Aside from these differences and the further differencethat the longitudinal flange Z) projects beyond the plate at one endonly, these plates F are similar to the plates 13 and are connected witheach other in the manner already described.

Each of the arches A or A rests upon a footpiece G, Figs. 6 and 7, whichlatter comprises merely a flat plate t, with longitudinal and transverseflanges a an do. Where the flanges a and r intersect they are cut awayat their upper edges, as at 10, so that the lowermost plates of eacharch which set down upon the foot pieces may engage therewith.Additional webs :0 may be provided here or on any of the other plateswhen deemed necessary.

It will be noticed upon reference to Fig. 6 that the ends a of theflanges u are arranged at an angle to the main body to permitoverlapping, and that they are undercut, as at d, to engage the ribs (1on the plates.

After the arch or culvert is built up, as shown in Fig. 1, it is coveredwith dirt.

Where desired, the filling-piece 0 may be made long enough to extendfrom one arch to the next.

What I claim is- 1. A culvert comprising one or more arches, made up ofmetallic plates adjustably connected with each other.

2. A culvert comprising a sectional metallic arch flaring at one or bothends.

3. A culvert comprising one or more arches, made up of unyieldingmetallic plates adj ustably connected with each other.

4. A culvert comprising a body portion made up of one or more arches,each of which arches is composed of rectangular metallic plates suitablyconnected; and an end portion or arch made up of a series of metallicplates of trapezoidal form, also suitably connected to each other and tothe plates of the body portion.

5. An arch made up of metallic plates connected adjustably with eachother and havin g the interposed longitudinal filling-pieces.

6. An arch made up of metallic plates adjustably connected with eachother on the outer face, and interposed j -shaped longitudinalfilling-pieces.

7. An arch made up of a series of metallic plates; and an adjustableconnection between the plates on their outer faces, whereby any desiredcurvature may be given to the arch.

8. A culvert comprising a series of connected arches, each of whicharches is made up of metallic plates adjustably connected with eachother; the plates of similar arches being duplicates of each other.

9. An arch made up of a series of adjustably-connected metallic plates,and a metallic foot piece or base.

10. The section or plate provided with the longitudinal flange Z) havingthe ends I) thereof out of line.

11. The section or plate provided With a rib c and with undercut end I).

12. An arch comprising a series of trapezoidal metallic plates connectedwith each other.

13. In combination with plates having the ribs 6; the -shapedfilling-piece 0 provided with seats f; and keys for uniting the piece 0to the plates.

14. In combination with the plates or sections provided with perforateribs a; bars or links connecting said ribs upon opposite sides thereof,the said bars being reversed in position; and bolts D, D, passingthrough said perforate ribs and holding the links in their adjustedposition.

15. In combination with plates or sections; bolts D provided with stem Zand eye m; bars E provided with slot 0 and eye n; and means for unitingthe bars to the eyes at.

16. In combination with plates or sections; bolts D provided with stem Zand eye m; bars E provided with eye n, and slot 0, and wedges passingthrough the eyes m.

17. In combination with two plates or sections and boltsjournaledtherein; two bars or links each of which is journaled at oneend upon the bolt and secured at the opposite end to the head of thebolt. 80

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of twowitnesses.

RICHARD GRAY.

Witnesses S. R. GRIFFITH, F. R. HILL.

